Its the Ocean - Stupid

by Keith Wolf

November 2024

Imagine an external observer—a visitor from another world—visiting our planet. They wouldn’t call it Earth; they’d call it “Ocean.” They might ask: “How can such a water-rich planet be in crisis, and why is it so HOT?”

The ocean, despite its unparalleled importance, remains overshadowed in global climate discussions. As the largest and most dynamic ecosystem on Earth, it is the origin, driver, and endpoint of the climate crisis. The ocean doesn't merely absorb the impacts of climate change—it amplifies and disseminates these effects, influencing every ecosystem, resource, and community on the planet. From polar ice caps to tropical rainforests, and to those who are downing, burning, starving, being blown away, and displaced, all life on Earth depends on the ocean's delicate balance.

Fundamentally, the ocean regulates climate and drives weather patterns. Without it, Earth's weather systems would collapse. The ocean absorbs over 90% of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases and nearly a quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions. These functions, while essential, are being pushed to their limits, resulting in rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and increasingly erratic weather systems. Yet, despite its central role, the ocean's plight is often ignored.

To put it simply: “It’s the ocean, and it matters.”

The consequences of this oversight are catastrophic, particularly for ocean food resources, global food security, and the billions of people who depend on coastal ecosystems. Over three billion people rely on the ocean for their primary source of protein, and fisheries support the livelihoods of hundreds of millions worldwide. However, the climate crisis is disrupting this vital food supply. Warming waters are causing species to migrate, leading to collapsing fish stocks and economic devastation for communities dependent on these resources. Acidifying oceans are decimating shellfish populations, while coral reef and kelp forest die-offs are removing critical habitats for countless marine species. The intricate food web that sustains life in the ocean—and by extension, on land—is unraveling.

For the global food system, the repercussions are dire. Fisheries and aquaculture contribute significantly to the world's food supply, particularly in developing nations. As fish stocks decline, prices rise, exacerbating food insecurity in regions already vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition. Additionally, the disruption of ocean ecosystems threatens biodiversity, reducing the ocean's capacity to adapt to changing conditions. If the ocean can no longer provide the resources and services humanity depends upon, the strain on terrestrial agriculture and food production systems will intensify—a compounding crisis in an already fragile world.

Coastal communities, too, are on the front lines of this emergency. Rising sea levels and intensifying storms are eroding coastlines, flooding cities, and displacing millions of people. Many small island nations and low-lying regions face the very real prospect of becoming uninhabitable. For these communities, the ocean is not just a resource—it is their culture, identity, and survival. Climate change threatens not only their homes and economies but also their way of life.

Meanwhile, vested interests—climate denialists and major emitters—continue to stifle the story of the ocean’s climate crisis. Acknowledging the ocean’s role would demand significant changes to the status quo: reducing emissions, investing in sustainable practices, and addressing the urgent needs of coastal and fishing communities. Denying the ocean's centrality allows these entities to delay action while the world inches closer to irreversible ecological collapse.

The reality is stark: the health of the ocean underpins the health of the planet. Every resource we rely on—food, water, climate stability, biodiversity—intersects with the ocean’s capacity to function as it has for millennia. As humanity continues to test the limits of this vital ecosystem, we edge closer to a breaking point with devastating consequences.

The answer lies in our failure to respect and protect the ocean. But this failure is not final. We have the tools, knowledge, and opportunity to act. The time to champion the ocean is now, for its health is synonymous with the survival of life on Earth.

Help us Help the Ocean @ kwaecosciences.com/documentary-films/oceans

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